The home may feel drafty in some regions of the home for various reasons. Sealing gaps on all openings around the home can yield substantial savings for your household. You can expect to save anywhere from 10 to 15 percent just by insulating all of the entry points to the home. Some reports state that savings could be even higher. Who would want to pass up on savings like that?

What is the Acceptable Air Leakage?

There is a comfortable temperature that all homeowners want to achieve when the cooler months arrive. Using weather stripping throughout the home accomplishes that. There should be no more than a 1/8-inch around the doors. If the measurements are less than 1/8 of an inch, the household could be spending as much as 30 percent each month in energy costs. This particular gap is the equivalent of having a huge hole right in the middle of the door.

What are the Different Types of Weatherstrip Options Available?

When it comes to insulating openings, there is no shortage of choices available to seal the openings. Adhesive tape or foam can be installed with ease because it contains a self-adhesive. Once the video has cut and the back peeled, it can even be installed. If there are any irregular openings, the flexible tape can seal those gaps. Felt is another flexible metal strip that can last approximately one or two years. The metal strip requires precise cutting and must be either stapled or nailed into place. The interlocking metal used in insulation for openings can form a tight seal between the openings of any door. The two pieces fit snugly together to form a secure seal between the two spaces. This type of seal should be installed by a professional. Tubular rubber and vinyl gaskets can be attached to any door or window opening. The tubing supported with a flange mechanism that must be in place. V-Strip comes with an adhesive and must be trimmed to the exact length before be attached to the frame.

What Should be Weather-stripped?

Any opening in the home that could permit air to enter should be weather stripped. The wall sockets, switches, and outlets should be weather stripped. Weatherstripping reduces leak problems most common in the winter and summer months. Areas like the laundry room where there are openings for the venting should be tightly sealed as well to eliminate leakage.

How to Choose the Right Weather Stripping for Your Home?

The style must be selected based on the area of its application. If the door is sealed, foam based products shouldn’t be used because the area is high traffic. The foam weather stripping should apply in areas of the home where the windows are rarely open. Vinyl and metal-based adhesive materials should be used in areas where moisture is more likely to occur. Its sturdiness makes it a perfect fit for doors because it remains intact and is less liable to drag.

Application Tips

The insulation of a home should add to the windows and doors of the home. In addition to the average coverage amount, an additional 5 or 10 percent should be added to compensate for any pockets of air that could penetrate. Before applying any weatherstrip materials, the area should be thoroughly cleaned. The ideal temperature for installation is above 20°F. The stripping material should accurately cut the opening dimensions. The material shouldn’t drag once applied to the door. It should compress as the window shuts.

How Do You Know You Need to do Some Insulation Work?

There are several signs to look for when determining whether or not there should apply throughout the home to all openings. One sign is the utility bills. If you have noticed an unexpected hike in energy rates despite regular upkeep of the HVAC system, it may be time to examine the weather strip material carefully. For areas of the home where it ‘s hard to pinpoint the location of a leak, you can use a hand-held hair dryer to direct high-velocity winds to suspected vulnerable areas of the window. On a windy day, standing by the door to feel for a draft is one way to detect vulnerabilities. A home cannot afford to be drafty during the cooler and warmer months because it increases energy costs. Homes that are well-insulated and have adequate weather strip lining throughout the home are less susceptible to leakage. Every time the season changes, the stripping material around all openings of the home should be thoroughly checked. If you need assistance in your Dundalk, MD home, call Reliability Home, at (443) 399-8663 today.